Samsung is making a major push into precision medicine, investing $110 million in U.S.-based biotech company GRAIL, which specializes in early cancer detection through a simple blood test.
The investment, announced Thursday local time, comes jointly from Samsung C&T and Samsung Electronics, positioning the Korean conglomerate as a strategic partner in one of the fastest-growing areas of healthcare technology — multi-cancer early detection (MCED).
Founded in 2016, GRAIL has developed proprietary technology that analyzes billions of DNA fragments in the bloodstream to identify trace cancer signals. Using advanced AI-driven genomic sequencing, the company’s flagship test, Galleri, can detect more than 50 types of cancer and indicate where in the body the disease may have originated.
Since its launch in 2021, Galleri has been used in roughly 400,000 clinical tests worldwide and is currently undergoing a large-scale trial with the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS). GRAIL plans to seek U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2026, a key milestone for broader adoption and potential insurance coverage.
As part of the deal, Samsung C&T has secured exclusive distribution rights for the Galleri test in South Korea, with plans to expand into Singapore and Japan in the near future. Samsung Electronics aims to integrate GRAIL’s genomic insights and cancer detection data into its Samsung Health digital platform, providing users with more personalized health monitoring and early risk prediction.
“This partnership allows us to expand Samsung’s life science investment portfolio into the rapidly growing AI–genomics sector,” said Kim Jae-woo, executive vice president of Life Science at Samsung C&T. Park Hun-su, head of the Digital Health Team at Samsung’s MX division, added that the collaboration will “deliver more personalized, data-driven health experiences through Samsung’s digital ecosystem.”
Harpal Kumar, GRAIL’s head of international operations, said the partnership marks “a key step in bringing multi-cancer early detection to Asia,” adding that Samsung’s backing will help accelerate insurance coverage and regulatory progress in major global markets.
The investment adds to Samsung’s growing presence in biotechnology and healthcare. Through its joint Life Science Fund with Samsung Biologics and Samsung Bioepis, Samsung C&T has previously invested in U.S. diagnostic firms such as C2N, which develops blood-based Alzheimer’s tests, and Flagship Pioneering’s Fund VIII.
Samsung Electronics has also expanded its healthcare investments, including a stake in DNA sequencing company Element Biosciences and the recent acquisition of U.S. digital health firm Jelss.
Industry analysts say the latest investment underscores Samsung’s ambition to become a leading player in data-driven, AI-powered healthcare, combining its expertise in consumer technology with emerging biotechnology capabilities.
